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Sustainability Assistant Manager

AXA Japan • Japan • Added on Aug 6, 2026
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As the new Sustainability Assistant Manager, you will serve as a central coordinator for AXA Japan’s environmental and social commitments. Your primary focus is translating global group strategies into local actions, specifically driving the roadmap to achieve greenhouse gas reduction targets by 2030. You will manage cross-functional governance structures, ensuring that climate actions are not just planned but effectively executed across various business units from finance to distribution.

This role is critical because it bridges the gap between high-level ESG reporting and tangible cultural change within a major financial institution. By leading the AXA Hearts in Action initiatives and overseeing CSRD-aligned disclosures, you directly influence how the insurance industry in Japan addresses the climate crisis. You will be the architect of a more sustainability-sensitive culture, turning complex data into a shared mission for thousands of employees.

This suits someone who is a bilingual change agent with a strong project management background and the diplomatic skills to influence executive-level stakeholders. You should be equally comfortable with technical carbon reporting and creative employee engagement strategies.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core mission is to operationalize AXA Japan’s sustainability strategy, focusing heavily on decarbonization and corporate citizenship. You will be responsible for setting and tracking GHG reduction targets across different divisions, ensuring that each business unit understands its contribution to the 2030 goals. This involves creating a centralized governance structure to manage climate actions effectively. Beyond environmental metrics, you will lead the AXA Hearts in Action (AHIA) program. This entails planning and executing philanthropy projects, managing relationships with external beneficiaries, and fostering a culture of volunteering. You will also oversee the submission of the annual Environment Report and ensure compliance with CSRD requirements by working closely with the Finance team. Communication is a key pillar of this role. You will be expected to raise awareness of the sustainability agenda internally, influencing various departments to adapt their daily operations to be more environmentally friendly. This includes preparing reports for the Brand, Communication & Sustainability Committee and the Executive Committee.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Joining a global leader like AXA provides deep exposure to international ESG frameworks, particularly the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and advanced climate disclosure standards. You will learn how a massive financial organization integrates climate risk and carbon accounting into its core business strategy, providing a masterclass in corporate sustainability governance. Furthermore, the role offers a unique chance to develop cross-functional leadership skills within a Japanese business context. By navigating both the local corporate culture and global group expectations, you will gain expertise in change management and stakeholder diplomacy that is highly valued in the ESG sector.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate brings at least five years of business experience, including significant time spent in program or project management. You must possess a visionary mindset, capable of translating abstract group-level strategies into actionable plans for the Japanese market. A strong educational background, typically a Bachelor’s degree, is required along with a proven track record in sustainability or CSR. Fluency in both Japanese and English is non-negotiable, as you will be the bridge between local operations and the global Group Sustainability team. The role requires a high level of curiosity and a self-starting nature, as you will need to stay ahead of rapidly evolving climate regulations and behavior change theories.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your ability to be a change agent rather than just a reporter. AXA is looking for someone who can influence people to welcome change positively; therefore, your application should highlight specific instances where you successfully persuaded resistant stakeholders or led a cultural shift within an organization. Quantify your impact wherever possible. If you have managed GHG reduction projects or corporate volunteering programs before, clearly state the measurable outcomes of those initiatives. Tailor your cover letter to show an understanding of AXA's dual identity as a French global entity and a deeply rooted player in the Japanese insurance market.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role primarily intersects with two areas: climate action and social impact. On the climate side, the focus is on achieving absolute GHG emission reductions and ensuring rigorous environmental reporting. You will work on aligning local Japanese operations with the ambitious Net Zero targets set at the AXA Group level. On the social side, the focus is on community engagement and philanthropy. Through the AHIA initiatives, you will manage how the company gives back to society, ensuring that sponsorship and donation activities align with AXA’s broader mission to protect what matters most.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the significant challenges will be driving transversal change in a large, established organization. Getting different divisions—such as Finance, HR, and Distribution—to align on sustainability KPIs requires patience and highly developed interpersonal skills, especially when these goals might compete with short-term business priorities. Additionally, keeping pace with evolving global reporting standards like the CSRD while operating in the Japanese regulatory environment can be complex. You will need to manage high volumes of data and ensure accuracy in disclosures that are subject to intense scrutiny from both the global headquarters and external stakeholders.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a coordination meeting with the Group Sustainability team in Europe to align on new reporting requirements. You might then shift to a planning session for a nationwide volunteer initiative, coordinating with local brand and communication teams to maximize internal engagement. In the afternoon, you could be analyzing GHG data alongside the Finance department or preparing a briefing paper for the Executive Committee regarding progress on 2030 targets. The day often concludes with stakeholder outreach, perhaps speaking with an NGO partner or reviewing the environmental impact of a new corporate policy.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

This role is a high-visibility position that offers a clear path toward senior sustainability leadership. Given AXA's global footprint, there are potential opportunities for international mobility or lateral moves into strategic roles within Finance or Brand management that have a heavy ESG focus. Success in this role establishes you as a subject matter expert in one of the world’s most advanced corporate sustainability ecosystems. The skills gained in navigating global-local tensions and multi-stakeholder governance are excellent preparation for future Chief Sustainability Officer or ESG Director positions.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internal stakeholders include the Executive Committee (ExCom), the Brand, Communication & Sustainability Committee, and various department leads in Finance, HR, and Strategy. You will act as a consultant to these divisions, helping them integrate sustainability into their specific workflows. Externally, you will interact with NGOs and non-profits through AXA Hearts in Action, as well as industry bodies and possibly regulators. Maintaining a strong network with the AXA Group Sustainability team is also vital to ensure local initiatives are recognized and supported by the global headquarters.

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